SEVEN & HELL
Jones’ big day ruined as Kiwis seal record win in Cardiff
ALUN WYN JONES had his big day wrecked by injury – and a seventry spanking from New Zealand.
The Wales captain set a world record for most caps for a single country with his 149th at a packed Principality Stadium.
But the lock legend’s joy was shortlived as he suffered shoulder damage in the 19th minute, then watched as the seven-try Kiwis rampaged to a record win in Cardiff.
Wales boss Wayne Pivac admitted his skipper had no choice but to leave the fray in a match which ran away from the home side with four tries in the last 15 minutes.
But Pivac warned: “We won’t be writing Alun Wyn off after what he did with the Lions.”
Pivac referred to the opening game of the Lions tour when Jones suffered a shoulder dislocation and was told his tour was over – only to recover and play a full part in the series.
Asked if he feared a repeat injury could rule his skipper out of next week’s clash against world champions South Africa, Pivac replied: “There’ll be a scan but that certainly isn’t the discussion we’ve had.”
Beauden Barrett was star of the show on his 100th cap, scoring the first and last try from long range in a typically dazzling display.
The outcome was entirely predictable from the moment he intercepted Gareth Anscombe’s pass on Wales’ first meaningful attack. But not the manner in which New Zealand racked up a 32nd successive win in this most lop-sided of fixtures.
Barrett’s fourth-minute try gave them a lead they would never relinquish and TJ Perenara’s second, just past the half hour, ensured hope never found its way into Welsh hearts.
Taine Basham and Aaron Wainwright did not give an inch and when Rhys Priestland chipped through for Johnny Williams to score the margin was down to a dozen points.
But that was as good as it got as the Kiwis powered back with tries for Dalton Papalii, Sevu Reece, Anton Lienert-brown and Barrett’s second.
WALES: Try: J Williams Con: Priestland Pens: Anscombe (2), Priestland
NZ: Tries: B Barrett (2), Perenara, Jordan, Papali’i, Reece, Liernert-brown Cons: J Barrett (5) Pens: J Barrett (3)